Oil atomizer

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for atomizing oil for burning the oil in a cement drying kiln or like device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support having linear guide pipes running from inside the kiln to a position outside the kiln. A plurality of oil supply tubes are insertable into the respective guide pipes so that the leading ends thereof extend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the pipes. A plurality of nozzle tips are attached to the leading ends of the respective supply tubes to atomize the oil and spray it into the kiln. The trailing ends of the oil supply tubes project out of the rearward ends of the guide pipes outside the kiln, and each individual supply tube with its attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln separately for cleaning without affecting the operation of the other supply tubes.

United States Patent Binasik OIL ATOMIZER Primary E.\'anzinerLloyd L.King Attorney. Agent, or Firnz-Townsend and Townsend [75] Inventor:Chester S. Binasik, Palo Alto. Calif.

[73] Assignee: Coen Company, Inc., Burlingame, [57] ABSTRACT CahfApparatus for atomizing oil for burning the oil in a ce- [22] Fil d; S19, 1974 ment drying kiln or like device is disclosed. The apparatusincludes a support having linear guide pipes run- [21] Appl 507330 ningfrom inside the kiln to a position outside the kiln. A plurality of oilsupply tubes are insertable into the 52 us. 01. 239/1; 239/567; 239/600respective guide p p 80 that the leading ends thereof [51] lm, C13 B05317/00; 344; 1 /()3; 13053 1 H3; extend to a position adjacent theforward ends of the 053 1/14 pipes. A plurality of nozzle tips areattached to the [58] Field of Search 239/1, 11, 600, 567 leading ends Ofthe respective pp y tubes to momize the oil and spray it into the kiln.The trailing ends of [56] Referen Ci the oil supply tubes project out ofthe rearward ends UNITED STATES PATENTS of the guide pipes outside thekiln, and each individual 3 357 476 17 1967 fl supply tube with itsattached nozzle tip can be drawn 4 5 5 $1969 22252;; out of the kilnseparately for cleaning without affectsIe25I427 12/1971 Nadkarni e1 511.32.".1: 539/600 mg the Operation of the other Supply tubes 12 Claims,11 Drawing Figures lt) 12 A L 22 (v7 1 i 38 ('7 3) 38 21; I6 3o WW \(Q/US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 013 3,918,639

N QE

OIL ATOMIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relatesto an oil atomizer, and in particular to an oil atomizer having aplurality of individual nozzle tips which can be cleaned separatelywithout affecting the operating of the other tips.

Cement is ordinarily produced by burning calcareous and argillaceous andother raw materials in a cement drying kiln to produce an interim stagecalled clinker. The clinker is later pulverized to form cement powder.The drying kiln ordinarily comprises a large rotating pipe which isbetween 200 and 500 feet long, and which is inclined slightly fromhorizontal. Slurry is injected into the pipe at one end and flows slowlydownwardly through the pipe, and is agitated as it flows by the rotationof the pipe. An oil and gas nozzle is used to project a flame down thecenter of the pipe to process the raw materials into clinker. The flameis often projected nearly the entire length of the pipe, i.e. 200 to 500feet.

Cement drying kilns are extremely large, and each A kiln produces alarge volume of cement each day. If the cement drying kiln must be shutdown for an entire day for any reason, approximately $20,000 is sufferedin lost production. With present oil and gas atomizers, it has beenfound that the atomizer, and particularly one or more of the nozzle tipsfor the oil, must be cleaned an average of once a week. The nozzles forthe gas are much more reliable. In order to clean a single oil nozzletip, the kiln must be shut down and the entire atomizer removedtherefrom, and the expenses in lost production for cleaning the nozzletip are excessive. Furthermore, difficulty is often encountered inrestarting the kiln after it has been shut down if the raw materialshave cooled sufficiently so that the oil and gas will not self-ignite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus foratomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a cement dryingkiln or similar application. The present invention provides an elongatesupport having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward endinside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln. Oil atomizing meansare provided including a plurality of nozzle tips insertable into thefiber through the respective guide tubes. A plurality of oil supplytubes are also provided having leading ends adapted to extend into thekilns and connected to the respective nozzle tips. The trailing ends ofthe supply tubes project outside the kiln, and apparatus are providedfor connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubes to anoil supply. Each individual supply tube can be disconnected from the oilsupply so that the disconnected tube can be drawn out of the kilnthrough the guide pipe for cleaning of the tube and its associatednozzle tip without affecting the operation of any of the other tubes.

The primary advantage of the present invention is that the oil nozzletips, which normally require cleaning approximately once a week, can beremoved for individual cleaning at any time without affecting theoperation of the kiln. The kiln can remain in operation using the restof the oil nozzles to atomize the oil without substantially affectingthe performance of the kiln. Hence, the apparatus of the presentinvention allows the kiln to be operated indefinitely without shuttingdown, in-

2 creasing the productivity of the kiln and eliminating the difficultiesinvolved with restarting it once it has been shut down.

The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as toorganization and method of operation, together with further objects andadvantages thereof, will be better understood from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanied drawings whicha preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawingsare for the purpose of illustration and description only and are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of thesupply end of the atomizer of the present invention outside the kiln;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the atomizer of the present inventionpartially broken away;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the nozzle end of the atomizer;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of one of the oil supply tubes of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary elevation view showing the oil supply tube ofFIG. 6 in its disconnected configuration;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view of an alternate embodiment of theoil nozzle of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10l0 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The supply end of the oil andgas atomizer of the present invention which is located outside a cementkiln or like apparatus is illustrated by way of reference to FIGS. 1 and2. At the supply end of atomizer 10, a circular oil supply pipe 12 isconnected by means of pipe 14 to an oil supply. Three manuallycontrollable valves 16-18 are connected to circular pipe 12 and controlthe flow of the oil to inwardly directed radial pipes 20-22respectively. A second oil supply pipe 24 is connected to circularsupply pipe 26 which is located within and concentric with circular pipe12. Inner circular pipe 26 also has three manually controllable valves28-30 which control the flow of oil from the circular pipe to theinwardly directed radial pipes 32-34 respectively. Each of the inwardlydirected radial pipes 20-22 and 32-34 is connected by means of a yoke 36binding connector elements 8.2, 84 to an oil supply tube 38 leading tothe interior of the cement drying kiln or similar apparatus.

As will be explained in further detail hereinafter, each oil supply tube38 can be individually disconnected from the source of oil by yoke 36 toremove the tube for cleaning of the associated nozzle tip. Prior to suchdisconnection, manually controllable valves l6-18 or 28-30 are closed toshut off the supply of oil to the selected oil supply tube. In order topurge the oil remaining in the supply tube, pressurized air is suppliedthrough line 40 to the selected supply tube 38. Air pressure line 40 isconnected to a circular line 42 and communicates with each of the inwardradial pipes 20-22 and 32-34 through individual manually controllablevalves 44. After the oil supply has been disconnected from the selectedsupply tube 38 of the valves 16-18 or 2830, the associated air supplyvalve 44 is opened to purge the oil from the selected supply tube. Yoke36 is then disconnected to disengage connector elements 82, 84 so thatthe selected oil supply tube can be removed from inside the kiln.

Referring now to FIG. 2, gas such as natural gas is supplied to atomizerthrough two separate gas supply pipes 50, 52. Gas supply pipes 50, 52are both connected to an elongate metal cylinder 54 which extendsthrough the wall 48 of the kiln and projects thereinto. A second smallerelongate cylinder 56 is mounted within and is concentric with outercylinder 54. A radial plate 58 interconnects inner and outer cylinders56, 54 near the rearward end of the cylinders between the attachment ofgas supply pipes 50, 52. Gas from supply pipe 52 is thus directed intothe interior of inner cylinder member 56 so that it is ejected by a plugnozzle 60 into the interior of the kiln. The gas from supply pipe 50flows through the annular space 62 between inner and outer cylindricalmembers 56, 54 and is ejected into the kiln through a plurality offorwardly inclined ports 65 located in the side walls of outercylindrical members 54.

A plurality of linear guide pipes 66 are disposed about the outerperiphery of inner cylindrical member 56 which forms a support surfacetherefor. U-shaped brackets 66 are used to fix guide pipes 64 to theouter surface of cylindrical members 56 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Oilsupply tubes 38 pass through the respective guide pipes 64 from outsidekiln to a position adjacent the forward ends of the guide tubes. Nozzlessuch as 68, 129, which will be illustrated in more detail hereinafter,are attached to oil supply tubes 38 at their leading ends and projectthrough radial plate 70 at the forward end of cylinders 54, 56 asillustrated in FIG. 5 to atomize the oil and spray it into the interiorof the kiln.

The outer diameter of oil supply tube 38 is less than the inner diameterof guide pipe 64 (see FIG. 4). Spacers such as 80 are welded to theexterior of oil supply tubes 38 to maintain the oil supply tubeconcentric with guide pipe 64, as illustrated in FIG. 6. A connectorelement 82 is located at the trailing end of oil supply tube 38, and isconnected therewith by pipe section 76 and angular member 78. Acomplementary connector element 84 attaches to one of the inwardlydirected radial pipes such as 22 leading to the oil supply. Connectorelement 82 has an angular passage 86 communicating with oil supply tube38 and terminating at the forwardly directed surface 88 of connectorelement 82. Connector 84 has a corresponding angular interior passage 90terminating at the rearwardly directed surface 92 of connector element84. A gasket 94 is disposed between the forwardly directed surface 88 ofconnector element 82 and the rearwardly directed surface 92 of connectorelement 94. The connector elements are biased together by means of yoke36 so that passage 86, 90 form a continuous conduit for the oil. Yoke 36includes a threaded portion 96 integral to a T-shaped handle 98 so thatthe treaded portion can be biased against a concave seat 100 inconnector element 82. The forward end of yoke 36 is connected by meansof a pin 102 to 4 connector element 84 so that tightening of bolt 96with handle 98 biases the connector elements together to provide acontinuous passage from the oil supply to the oil supply tube.

When it is desired to remove the oil supply tube 38 from within guidepipe 64 for cleaning of the nozzle tip, handle 98 can be turned todisengage the threaded portion 96 with concave seat 100. Yoke 36 canthus be rotated upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 6A, allowing connectorelement 82 to be moved rearwardly out of engagement with connectorelement 84 so that oil supply tube 38 is drawn out from within the kiln.

An oil atomizing nozzle tip 68 of the core type is welded or otherwisefixedly attached at 1 10 to the leading end 112 of certain oil supplypipes 38. Nozzle tip 68 includes a block 1 14 having a cylindrical outercircumference which fits within guide pipe 38 and is axiallytranslatable therethrough. A plurality of passageways 116 (see FIG. 7)communicate with the interior of supply pipe 38 and passes through block114 to a plenum 118 at the forward end of the block. Plenum 118 has athreaded portion 120 into which a plug 122 is adapted to be engaged.Plug 122 has a forwardly directed nozzle opening 124 extending forwardlyfrom an internal chamber 126. A plurality of tangential slots 128interconnect plenum 118 with chamber 126, as illustrated in more detailin FIG. 8. The oil is thus swirled in chamber 126 prior to passagethrough atomizing opening 124 which sprays it into the kiln.

An alternate embodiment of the oil nozzle tip, designated as 129 andcalled the annulus type, is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 9.In this embodiment, metal block 130 is fixed to guide pipe 38 at 132.Oil from oil supply tube 38 passes through a series of passageways 134(see FIG. 10) to plenum 136. Plenum 136 and its associated threadedportion 138 are axially inclined with respect to guide pipe 64 so thatplug 140 is similarly axially inclined. Oil passes through tangentialports 142 from plenum 136 to chamber 144 and is atomized and sprayedinto the kiln in an off-axis direction through nozzle opening 146. Sinceplug 140 is axially inclined with respect to guide pipe 64, the oil isdirected outwardly to broaden out the flame produced in the kiln.

During normal operation, atomizer l0 employs three nozzles such as 68which spray the oil axially into the kiln and three nozzles such as 129which spray the oil off-axis into the kiln. Nozzles 68 are connected tothe oil supply tubes 38 associated with the inner circular supply pipe26. Oil nozzle tips 129 are connected to the oil supply tubes 38associated with outer circular oil supply pipe 12. The pressures in therespective circular oil supply pipes can be varied to alter the mannerin which oil is sprayed into the kiln. Furthermore, gas is supplied tothe atomizer through separate supply pipes 50, 52 and is fed boththrough plug nozzle 60 and ports 64 into the kiln. In this manner, theconfiguration of the gas injection is also controllable by altering thepressure in respective pipes 50, 52. The size, temperature, and shape ofthe flame can thus easily be controlled by varying the respective oiland gas pressures through this supply pipe.

It is a common occurrence in apparatus of the type described herein thatone of the nozzle tips such as 68 or 129 becomes clogged and requiresclearning. With the apparatus of the present invention, the oil supplyto the particular supply tube 38 connected to the nozzle tip whichrequires cleaning can be shut off without atfecting the operation of theother nozzle tips which sus-g I the associated valve 44 which isconnected to a source of pressurized air. After the oil has been purged,handle 98 on yoke 36 is rotated to disengage threaded portion.

96 thereof from seat 100. Yoke 36 is then swung out of position so thatconnector element 82 can be moved.

backwardly and away fromconnector element 84. This .allows oil supplytube 38 and its associated nozzle tip to be drawn outwardly from thekiln through guide pipe 64 so that the nozzle tip can be cleaned whileall other nozzles continue to fire. i

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beenillustratedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptationsof that embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art. However, itis to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptationsare within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forthin the following claims.

, What I claim as new is;

1. Apparatus for atomizing oil from anoil supply for burning the oil ina kiln or likeapparatus, said atomizer comprising:

an elongate member comprising a peripheral support surface having aforward end inside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln;

a plurality of linear guide pipes attached to the sup-.

port surface and extending rearwardly from the forward end of theelongate member;

a plurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guidepipes and axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends ofthe tubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forwardends of the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubesadapted to project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes;

a plurality of nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of therespective oil supply tubes to spray the oil into the kiln, said nozzletips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; and

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubesto the oil supply, said connecting means including means fordisconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so thatthe disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable withrespect to the elongate member and the disconnected tube and theattached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning withoutwithdrawing the other tubes.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the elongate member comprisesa first elongate cylindrical member, the outer surface of saidcylindrical member providing the peripheral surface.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the elongate memberadditionally comprises a second elongate cylindrical membercircumscribing the first cylindrical member so that the linear guidepipes are disposed therebetween.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the first and secondcylindrical members each comprise conduits for gas and include means forexpelling the gasat the respective forward ends of the elongate members.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 and additionally comprising means forstopping the flow of oil to each individual oil supply tube to shut offthe flow of oil to supply supply tube, and means for purging the oil rerr a 6 maining in the shutoff supply tube prior to drawing said 1 supplytube from the kiln.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each oil supply tube includesa forwardly opening connector element, additionally comprising aplurality of rearwardly opening connector elements communicating withthe oil supply and associated with the respective forwardly openingconnector elements of the oil supply tubes and adapted to matetherewith, and wherein said connecting means includes a plurality ofyokes-associated with the respective oil supply tubes and adapted toselectively bias the respectively forwardly opening and rearwardlyopeningconnect-or elements together.

7; Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil ina kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer 9 comprising: t

a plurality of oil supply tubes individually insertable through thewalls of the kiln', said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at theleading end thereof for atomizing the oil and spraying it inside thekiln and a trailing end projecting outside the kiln;

a plurality of forwardly opening connector elements located at thetrailing ends of the respective oil supply tubes;

a plurality of rearwardly opening connector elements attached to the oilsupply and adapted to mate with the respective forwardly openingconnector elements when the associated supplytubes are inserted throughthe sidewalls of the kiln; and

means for releasably binding each individual rearwardly openingconnector element to its associated forwardly opening connector elementto provide a continuous fluid passage from the oil supply to the nozzletips, said binding means being individually releasable to allow a singleoil supply tube with its associated nozzle tip to be disconnected fromthe oil supply and withdrawn from inside the kiln for cleaning withoutaffecting the 5 operation of the 4 other oil supply tubes.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the binding means-comprises aplurality of yokes pivotably attached to the respective forwardlyopening connector elements and having a threaded portion releasablyengageable with the associated rearwardly opening connector elements toselectively individually bind the connector elements together.

9. Apparatus as recited in claim 7 and additionally comprising anelongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having aforwardend extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward endoutside the kiln, the oil supply tubes adapted to be inserted into thekiln through the respective guide pipes.

10. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oilin a kiln or like device, said apparatus comprising:

an elongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having aforward end extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward endoutside the kiln;

oil atomizing means including a plurality of nozzle tips insertablethrough. the respective guide pipes from the rearward ends of said guidepipes to the forward ends thereof, and a plurality of oil supply tubeshaving leading ends connected to the respective nozzle tips and adaptedto extend into the kiln through the respective guide pipes, the trailingends of said supply tubes adapted to project outside the kiln; and

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oil supply tubesto the oil supply, said connecting means including means fordisconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply so thatthe disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatable withrespect to the elongate support and the disconnected tube and theattached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning withoutaffecting the operation of the other tubes.

11. A method for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil ina kiln or like apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting a plurality of oil supply tubes through the walls of the kilnso that the leading ends of the supply tubes are disposed within thekiln and the trailing ends thereof project outside the kiln, said supplytubes each having a nozzle tip at the leading end thereof;

individually connecting the trailing end of each oil supply tube to theoil supply for operation of the kiln;

releasing the trailing end of a selected oil supply tube from the oilsupply when the nozzle tip associated therewith requires cleaning;

withdrawing the selected oil supply tube and the associated nozzle tipfrom within the kiln while maintaining the operation of said kiln withthe other oil supply tubes;

cleaning the removed nozzle tip;

reinserting the cleaned nozzle tip and the selected oil supply tubethrough the walls of the kiln; and reconnecting the selected oil supplytube to the oil supply.

12. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oiltogether with gas in a kiln or like device,

said apparatus comprising;

an elongate member including inner and outer cylindrical coaxialelements; said elongate member having a forward end inside the kiln anda rearward end outside the kiln, said elongate member including a gasnozzle at the forward end communicating with the interior of the innerelement and a plural- 8 ity of ports in the outer element near theforward end of the member; means for supplying gas under pressure to theinterior of the inner cylindrical element to project said gas into theinterior of the kiln through the nozzle; means for supplying gas underpressure to the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindricalelements to project said gas into the interior of the a kiln through theports;

a plurality of linear guide pipes disposed in the annular volume betweenthe inner and outer cylindrical elements and extending rearwardly fromthe forward end of the elongate member;

a plurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guidepipes and axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends ofthe tubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forwardends of the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubesadapted to project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes;

a plurality of core nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of certainof the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to atomize and spray theoil into the kiln along the axis of the elongate member, said nozzletips being translatable axially within the respective guide pipes;

a plurality of annulus nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of theother oil supply tubes to spray the oil non-axially into the kiln,-saidnozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guidepipes;

means for connecting the trailing ends of each of said certain and saidother oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting meansincluding means for disconnecting the oil supply tubes individually fromthe oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardlyaxially translatable with respect to the elongate member and thedisconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of thekiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.

1. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burning the oil ina kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer comprising: an elongate membercomprising a peripheral support surface having a forward end inside thekiln and a rearward end outside the kiln; a plurality of linear guidepipes attached to the support surface and extending rearwardly from theforward end of the elongate member; a plurality of oil supply tubesinsertable into the respective guide pipes and axially translatable withrespect thereto, the leading ends of the tubes adapted to normallyextend to a position adjacent the forward ends of the respective guidepipes and the trailing ends of the tubes adapted to project out of therearward ends of said guide pipes; a plurality of nozzle tips attachedto the leading ends of the respective oil supply tubes to spray the oilinto the kiln, said nozzle tips being translatable axially within therespective guide pipes; and means for connecting the trailing ends ofeach of the oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting meansincluding means for disconnecting the supply tubes individually from theoil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axiallytranslatable with respect to the elongate member and the disconnectedtube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln forcleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.
 2. Apparatus as recited inclaim 1 wherein the elongate member comprises a first elongatecylindrical member, the outer surface of said cylindrical memberproviding the peripheral surface.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2wherein the elongate member additionally comprises a second elongatecylindrical member circumscribing the first cylindrical member so thatthe linear guide pipes are disposed therebetween.
 4. Apparatus asrecited in claim 3 wherein the first and second cylindrical members eachcomprise conduits for gas and include means for expelling the gas at therespective forward ends of the elongate members.
 5. Apparatus as recitedin claim 1 and additionally comprising means for stopping the flow ofoil to each individual oil supply tube to shut off the flow of oil tosupply supply tube, and means for purging the oil remaining in theshutoff supply tube prior to drawing said supply tube from the kiln. 6.Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each oil supply tube includes aforwardly opening connector element, additionally comprising a pluralityof rearwardly opening connector elements communicating with the oilsupply and associated with the respective forwardly opening connectorelements of the oil supply tubes and adapted to mate therewith, andwherein said connecting means includes a plurality of yokes associatedwith the respective oil supply tubes and adapted to selectively bias therespectively forwardly opening and rearwardly opening connector elementstogether.
 7. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply for burningthe oil in a kiln or like apparatus, said atomizer comprising: aplurality of oil supply tubes individually insertable through the wallsof the kiln, said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip at the leadingend thereof for atomizing the oil and spraying it inside the kiln and atrailing end projecting outside the kiln; a plurality of forwardlyopening connector elements located at the trailing ends of therespective oil supply tubes; a plurality of rearwardly opening connectorelements attached to the oil supply and adapted to mate with therespective forwardly opening connector elements when the associatedsupply tubes are inserted through the sidewalls of the kiln; and meansfor releasably binding each individual rearwardly opening connectorelement to its associated forwardLy opening connector element to providea continuous fluid passage from the oil supply to the nozzle tips, saidbinding means being individually releasable to allow a single oil supplytube with its associated nozzle tip to be disconnected from the oilsupply and withdrawn from inside the kiln for cleaning without affectingthe operation of the other oil supply tubes.
 8. Apparatus as recited inclaim 7 wherein the binding means comprises a plurality of yokespivotably attached to the respective forwardly opening connectorelements and having a threaded portion releasably engageable with theassociated rearwardly opening connector elements to selectivelyindividually bind the connector elements together.
 9. Apparatus asrecited in claim 7 and additionally comprising an elongate supporthaving a plurality of guide pipes each having a forward end extending tothe inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, the oilsupply tubes adapted to be inserted into the kiln through the respectiveguide pipes.
 10. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply forburning the oil in a kiln or like device, said apparatus comprising: anelongate support having a plurality of guide pipes each having a forwardend extending to the inside of the kiln and a rearward end outside thekiln; oil atomizing means including a plurality of nozzle tipsinsertable through the respective guide pipes from the rearward ends ofsaid guide pipes to the forward ends thereof, and a plurality of oilsupply tubes having leading ends connected to the respective nozzle tipsand adapted to extend into the kiln through the respective guide pipes,the trailing ends of said supply tubes adapted to project outside thekiln; and means for connecting the trailing ends of each of the oilsupply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting means including meansfor disconnecting the supply tubes individually from the oil supply sothat the disconnected supply tube is rearwardly axially translatablewith respect to the elongate support and the disconnected tube and theattached nozzle tip can be drawn out of the kiln for cleaning withoutaffecting the operation of the other tubes.
 11. A method for atomizingoil from an oil supply for burning the oil in a kiln or like apparatus,said method comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of oil supplytubes through the walls of the kiln so that the leading ends of thesupply tubes are disposed within the kiln and the trailing ends thereofproject outside the kiln, said supply tubes each having a nozzle tip atthe leading end thereof; individually connecting the trailing end ofeach oil supply tube to the oil supply for operation of the kiln;releasing the trailing end of a selected oil supply tube from the oilsupply when the nozzle tip associated therewith requires cleaning;withdrawing the selected oil supply tube and the associated nozzle tipfrom within the kiln while maintaining the operation of said kiln withthe other oil supply tubes; cleaning the removed nozzle tip; reinsertingthe cleaned nozzle tip and the selected oil supply tube through thewalls of the kiln; and reconnecting the selected oil supply tube to theoil supply.
 12. Apparatus for atomizing oil from an oil supply forburning the oil together with gas in a kiln or like device, saidapparatus comprising; an elongate member including inner and outercylindrical coaxial elements; said elongate member having a forward endinside the kiln and a rearward end outside the kiln, said elongatemember including a gas nozzle at the forward end communicating with theinterior of the inner element and a plurality of ports in the outerelement near the forward end of the member; means for supplying gasunder pressure to the interior of the inner cylindrical element toproject said gas into the interior of the kiln through the nozzle; meansfor supplying gas under pressure to the annular volume between the innerand outer cylindRical elements to project said gas into the interior ofthe kiln through the ports; a plurality of linear guide pipes disposedin the annular volume between the inner and outer cylindrical elementsand extending rearwardly from the forward end of the elongate member; aplurality of oil supply tubes insertable into the respective guide pipesand axially translatable with respect thereto, the leading ends of thetubes adapted to normally extend to a position adjacent the forward endsof the respective guide pipes and the trailing ends of the tubes adaptedto project out of the rearward ends of said guide pipes; a plurality ofcore nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of certain of therespective oil supply tubes and adapted to atomize and spray the oilinto the kiln along the axis of the elongate member, said nozzle tipsbeing translatable axially within the respective guide pipes; aplurality of annulus nozzle tips attached to the leading ends of theother oil supply tubes to spray the oil non-axially into the kiln, saidnozzle tips being translatable axially within the respective guidepipes; means for connecting the trailing ends of each of said certainand said other oil supply tubes to the oil supply, said connecting meansincluding means for disconnecting the oil supply tubes individually fromthe oil supply so that the disconnected supply tube is rearwardlyaxially translatable with respect to the elongate member and thedisconnected tube and the attached nozzle tip can be drawn out of thekiln for cleaning without withdrawing the other tubes.